Senior Director Development

About the Role

Qiddiya is seeking a Senior Director Development to lead a significant residential portfolio. This full-time role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and offers the opportunity to influence product, strategy, and development direction within a long-term, high-profile business. The position focuses on villas and townhouses, guiding projects through critical early and mid-development stages.

Role Context and Focus

This senior client-side development role is integral to Qiddiya's Residential Business Unit, which aims to create high-quality, market-relevant communities within one of Saudi Arabia's ambitious destination-led developments. The Senior Director Development will lead projects from initial development brief and feasibility through product definition, design management, approvals, procurement strategy, and delivery readiness. This role requires a developer mindset, balancing commercial considerations with product, market, design, cost, and program objectives. It is not a pure project management, design, or construction delivery role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of development projects from feasibility through delivery readiness.
• Define product strategy, unit mix, phasing, and development briefs.
• Drive feasibility, business planning, and commercial optimization.
• Manage design, consultants, approvals, and procurement strategy.
• Represent the business in key stakeholder discussions.
• Improve development processes across the portfolio.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Over 10 years of strong client-side residential development experience.
• Proven capability across feasibility, product definition, design management, and commercial decision-making.
• Demonstrated developer mindset, distinct from pure project management.
• Ability to balance product, design, cost, program, and profitability.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with consultants, authorities, and senior leadership.
• Middle East experience is preferred.
• Background in development is preferred over pure consultancy, contractor, or PMC roles.
• A relevant degree is required; real estate or commercial qualifications are a plus.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will possess a true developer mindset, characterized by commercial acumen, a willingness to challenge assumptions, and the ability to effectively balance multiple project dimensions. You will work closely with internal teams and external consultants, requiring credibility and confidence to represent the business in complex stakeholder environments.

Location and Work Type

This is a full-time position located in Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Salary details will be discussed during the interview process.